Legalising Cannabis Bill 2023

The Legalising Cannabis Bill 2023 is a bill introduced to the Australian Senate on 10 August 2023, by Senator David Shoebridge, a Senator for the Australian Greens from New South Wales (NSW). The bill is similar to state legislation introduced in the past as it aims to legalise the sale, production and use of recreational cannabis, however this would provide for legalisation at a federal level. State and territory legislation introduced includes:


 * Drug Misuse and Trafficking Amendment (Regulation of Personal Adult Use of Cannabis) Bill 2023 introduced by Jeremy Buckingham (LCA) for NSW;
 * Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Regulation of Personal Adult Use of Cannabis) Bill 2023 introduced by Rachel Payne (LCA) for Victoria; and
 * Cannabis Legalisation Bill 2022 introduced by Tammy Franks (AG) for South Australia.
 * Legalise Cannabis (Referendum) Bill 2024 introduced by Brian Walker (LCA) for Western Australia

The bill's intent to legalise cannabis differs from cannabis' status in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), with the bill's aim to fully legalise cannabis, including for recreational use. Commencing 31 January 2020, the ACT decriminalised the possession of up to 50g of 'dry' or 150g of 'wet' cannabis, so long as the person is over 18. This is said to encourage access to rehabilitation services "without fear of being put through the justice system".

The Australian Greens are the only federal political party that hold seats that is officially pro-cannabis legalisation.

The Legalise Cannabis Australia party, formerly the Help End Marijuana Prohibition (HEMP) party, as their name suggests, is a party whose main goal is to legalise the recreational use of cannabis. Legalise Cannabis Australia does not hold any seats in the Federal Parliament as at May 2024, however they retain seats in the upper houses of the Victorian, New South Wales and the West Australian legislative bodies, with a seat in the Parliament of Western Australia in the in the City of Rockingham

Inquiries
On 10 May 2024, a senate inquiry; Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee into the Legalising Cannabis Bill 2023 was held in Canberra to interpret the bill with input from professionals in the industry. The committee heard various testimonies largely from three different organisations; Alcohol and Drug Foundation, National Drug Research Institute, as well as the COO and CEO of private medical cannabis company, Astrid Health. Astrid, which prides itself on being entirely female-run, has a large stake in the medicinal industry, and operates a dispensary and clinic in Victoria.

Inquiries are closed and the reports have been made as of 31 May 2024.

Report
The senate admitted the report on 31 May 2024.

The report found that in order to build up the required bodies and health systems, large amounts of time and money would be needed. Senator Scarr also noted that there were no provisions in the bill to enable the government to establish other services that should come alongside it. He also said that there was minimal information in the bill regarding what would incentivise people to use the prospective legal market given that the illegal market cannabis would be cheaper. He referred to a survey wherein results found that if cannabis were legal, more than 1 million more Australians would partake in use of the drug. In conclusion, Scarr noted that the health risks of legalising cannabis are "potentially disastrous," and does not sanction the passing of the bill.

Outcome: The committee recommends that the Senate not pass the bill.